Commissioners reject permit for wind farm

The proposed Burleigh-Emmons Wind Farm has elicited a strong response from community members, drawing more than 500 people to a recent four-hour public hearing.

The developers, Pure New Energy USA, had hoped the project would be sent back to the planning and zoning board. The company’s business development director, Courtney Timmons called the vote Monday a “dark day for property rights in North Dakota.”

The Bismarck Tribune says Burleigh County State’s Attorney Julie Lawyer recommended the project be sent back to planning and zoning because its report on the proposal was insufficient.